Question

Breaking bottles and sleeping habits?!?

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I have allowed my 23 month old to be extremely spoiled and now I'm paying for it and I need help!!!!! She is still on the bottles morning, nap time, and bed. 8oz each time or she wont go to sleep. along with having to be snuggled.. we are in the process of moving so im not sure if taking away the bottle right now would be an easy thing as I think she just uses it for comfort. We took the pacifier away before a year with no problems. shes never been put on a sleep routine, I always felt the cry out method was a little mean and i suppose now im paying for it. Please dont be mean about the advice you might give, I understand fully that it is my fault that it has become this way, but at the same time i wanted my baby to be a baby but now that shes a toddler i cant take much more :( I have come to my breaking point! as much as i love my LO i cant keep doing this. PLEASE HELP!

Mom Answers

You're right... it's going to be harder to break the habit now as opposed to a year and a half ago. There's no way to break this habit with out tears, unfortunately. I would try weaning her off the bottles by not giving her one in the morning, and instead give her a sippy cup. Then you can eliminate the bottle at nap time, and so on. I would continue to do cuddle time before bed until she's used to not needing a bottle. You could also try giving her a bottle with water in it so milk isn't sitting on her teeth while she's sleeping. It will be hard, and she will protest, but as long as you remain consistent and firm, she'll figure it out fast. Good luck!

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